Bengaluru
Virat Kohli looked in sublime touch as Royal Challengers Bengaluru wrapped up an intense training session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium ahead of their Indian Premier League 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The talismanic batter delivered another short yet impressive knock during a practice game, underlining his readiness for the new season. Though he had an early scare—edging a delivery from Jacob Duffy that was dropped near the boundary—Kohli quickly found his rhythm and showcased his trademark class.
Once settled, Kohli shifted gears effortlessly, playing elegant drives and flicks. He punished any loose deliveries, including a towering straight six off Duffy. One of the standout moments came against Rasikh Salam Dar, when Kohli advanced down the pitch and dispatched the ball over mid-wicket with authority. A signature on-drive soon followed, drawing admiration from those present.
His stay ended when he attempted an inside-out shot but found a fielder at mid-off, bringing a close to an otherwise fluent outing that will boost RCB’s confidence heading into the tournament.
In contrast, Phil Salt struggled to get going on a sluggish surface, finding it difficult against the new-ball trio of Duffy, Abhinandan Singh and Dar. However, Duffy’s probing spell offered a positive sign for RCB, especially amid uncertainty surrounding Josh Hazlewood’s availability due to injury.
Among others, skipper Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal adopted a cautious approach, focusing on building their innings through strike rotation. Padikkal managed a six off Swapnil Singh before falling to a mistimed shot.
Earlier, Jacob Bethell and Jitesh Sharma spent time honing their skills with throwdowns. RCB are set to take a brief break before resuming training, while Sunrisers Hyderabad are expected to begin their practice session at the venue soon. With Kohli appearing focused and in control, RCB will head into their opener with renewed optimism.
